Tok Pa seems the ideal candidate

KUCHING: Former International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed – commonly known as Tok Pa, seemed the ideal candidate to be the next education minister, based on netizen’s sentiments.

Political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi pointed out that Mustapa had previously been the minister of Higher Education, and was seen as a calm and highly dedicated leader.

“He has vast knowledge, is approachable and friendly with the people,” he said.

According to Awang Azman, the next education minister must have a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s education system and its relationship with the direction and progress of the country.

“Other factors to be considered are Malaysia’s course towards the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the target of 60 percent student enrolment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),” he said.

Meanwhile, lecturer in Strategic Studies and International Relations Programme of the National University of Malaysia (UKM) Dr Farizal Mohd Razalli acknowledged Maszlee achievements, but said these were mostly operational and less strategic and political or policy-related.

“Unfortunately, the majority of the public is normally more interested in strategic and political achievements or performance, i.e. the overall direction and content of the education system,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.

Given the current state of the nation’s education system, he felt that Maszlee and his team should have prioritised strategic direction more than issues of an inclusive education system.

“It is setting the priorities that matters more, and this to me is not Maszlee’s personal weakness but his team of advisors’ inability to chart out a balanced political and social priorities for the minister’s political career,” said Farizal.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) president Ahmad Malie hoped that Maszlee’s successor would perform even better.

He opined that Maszlee performance in leading the Education Ministry was good, though numerous transformations that he introduced had been controversial.

“KGBS hopes that the next education minister will have a strong spirit to face the challenges in the education sector,” he said, adding that they did not want to see the successor diminish as well.

Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) president Macky Joseph respected Maszlee’s decision and thanked him for his 20 months as education minister.

He urged the ministry to reduce teachers’ burden and supported them teaching in more conducive environments both in rural and urban settings. “The government should equip schools with high speed internet accessibility.”

Maszlee’s resignation as Education Minister on the advice of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad was effective yesterday.